Purnell Legion Cavalry

The Purnell Legion lost 7 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 24 enlisted men by disease, a total of 31. Company A is honored with a monument at Gettysburg.

Company A

1861

September to
November

Organized as a legion of nine companies of infantry, two companies of cavalry, and two batteries of light artillery by Colonel William Purnell, Postmaster of Baltimore, at Pikesville Arsenal, under special authority of the Secretary of War. Attached to Dix’s Division, Baltimore, Maryland.

Attached to 3rd Separate Brigade, 8th Army Corps. The company was stationed at the Monocacy River Bridge outside Frederick, Maryland with a section of the 3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery. As Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania unfolded it was withdrawing to Baltimore when it was almost overrun by Stuart’s cavalry raid. The company then attached itself to McIntosh’s Cavalry Brigade of the Army of the Potomac, accompanying it to Gettysburg.

July 1-3

Battle of Gettysburg

Commanded by Capt. Robert E. Duvall. The company brought 78 men to the field and had no casualties.

Company B

1861

September to November

Organized as a legion of nine companies of infantry, two companies of cavalry, and two batteries of light artillery by Colonel William Purnell, Postmaster of Baltimore, at Pikesville Arsenal, under special authority of the Secretary of War. Attached to Dix’s Division, Baltimore, Maryland.